NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 10, 2013.

The latest on the potential sale of the New Jersey Devils, the Penguins hire Jacques Martin as an assistant coach, “escape clause” hovers over the Phoenix Coyotes, plus updates on Braden Holtby and Matt Carle.

New Jersey Devils reportedly close to being sold to owner of Philadelphia 76ers.

NJ.COM: Josh Harris, owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, is apparently in line to become the next owner of the New Jersey Devils, having agreed on a sale price with current owner Jeff Vanderbeek. The NHL Board of Governors and a “queue of creditors owed more than $200 million” must sign off on the deal. One of those creditors is attorney Andrew Barroway, a prospective buyer of the club owed over $30 million. The sale price could be more than $240 million.

NORTHJERSEY.COM: Tom Gulitti writes Vanderbeek’s legacy will be the construction of the Prudential Center, the Devils home arena in Newark, which opened in 2007.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As expected, a potential sale of the Devils wasn’t going to take long. The club’s location and its arena are considerable more attractive than, say, one located in a desert. If this sale to Harris goes before a vote of the NHL BoG, expect it to be passed unanimously.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: The Penguins hired former NHL head coach Jacques Martin as an assistant coach to work with the club’s defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The move also has some fans speculating Martin could replace head coach Dan Bylsma if the club fails to reach the Stanley Cup Final next spring. Time will tell.

ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Dan Bickley reports the Phoenix Coyotes remain a risky proposition for their new owners, observing the “escape clause” in their arena lease agreement with the city of Glendale which “keeps a clock hanging over this hockey team”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The new Coyotes owners and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman have tried to downplay that clause, but given everything that’s transpired over the past four years with this franchise, it won’t mollify nagging concerns over the stability of the Coyotes ownership.

CSNWASHINGTON.COM: Capitals goalie Braden Holtby is looking forward to being part of Canada’s Olympic orientation camp.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Lightning defenseman Matt Carle endorses the club’s hiring of former college head coach George Gwozdecky as an assistant coach. Carle played for Gwozdecky at the University of Denver from 2003-2006.

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